Representations of gender today

Gender in contemporary TV programmes:

. In prime time TV shows, 1192-1993 men took 61% of the total number of speaking roles, women having 39%.

. 1995-1996 study found that men took 63% of the speaking roles, women having 37%.

. 1992-1993- 18% of the female characters took the major role and more than two thirds were the stars of domestic situation comedies.

. 1995-1996 43% of major characters were female, although still less than half.

. 1992-1993- 3% of women were represented as housewives as their main occupation- massive decrease from the 1970. An additional 8% of women were shown as 'homemakers'.

. 1995-1996- On a character b character basis, females male were equal in these respects.

. Overall the 1992-1993 study found that ' the women on prime time TV in the early 1990s was young, single, independent, and free from family and work place pressures' (Elasmer, Hasegawa and Brain, 1999:33).

. 1990s to a certain extent, programme makers arrived at a comfortable, not particularly- offensive modes of masculinity and femininity, which majority of the public seemed to think were acceptable.

Friends is a internationally popular sit-com,the programme series consisted of 3 males (Joey, Chandler and Ross) and 3 females (Monica, Rachel and Phoebe). The three males are shown with masculine qualities, although with some characteristics of "sensitivity" and "Gentleness" and male bonding. The three females are shown as "intelligent" and "non-housewifely".
This gives it a refreshing feel to it rather than the traditional family. Programmes such as "Ally McBeal" (1997) and "Sex and the City" (1998) put successful women at the forefront and focuses on their paths to and for sex.

Buffy is a female icon, a role model to younger teenage girls everywhere, as well as this it can be said she is there for male gaze (Laura Mulvey) this is just my opinion. Buffy has won 'Best television show' in SFX magazines annual readers poll over and over again. Which launched the idea of powerful and heroic women in TV, as seen from the 'New Adventures of Superman' as Louis Lane is a successful reporter as well as a strong independent women, who does at the end need help from the 'sweet and insecure' Superman.

Maggie Humm's Feminism and film:

"Film... often and anxiously envisions women stereotypically as good mother and bad hysterical careerists. in the past and today, every Hollywood women is some eles's other."

Michael Thomson:

"By all means be feisty, but never forget to be feminine".

Charlie Angels starred Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu all hired by an anonymous person named Charlie to solve mysteries. The girls are represented as the redhead (Barrymore), blond (Diaz) and brunet (Liu) these girls are portraying themselves as deadly but sexy, bringing in to mind the idea of 'femme fatale' (deadly women). The women are strong and independent however they are also seen as promiscuous, and the idea of 'the whore' comes to mind as they are role models as they save peoples lives but not after being half naked and doing other male gaze pleasuring activities.

The study talks about whether "girls power" leads to "girl violence"; this study is by psychologists, Muncer, Campbell, Jervis and Lewis (2001), respond to the growing concern of the Media term "Ladettes", these are women who are assertive with an aggressive attitude which are usually associated with "Lads".